I would set up a ring camera. I have one and it works great. When it detects motion the flood lights come on and your cell phone rings and you can watch & record what's going on, plus it has a speaker so you can yell at the thief ! I paid less than $200. For the Ring flood light/camera.

I had to deal with the same issue last winter unfortunately. A couple of guys thought it would be a good idea to steal a lot of wood straight out of my wood store and take it into the woods next to me to have a campfire. Luckily I saw the blaze and chased them off. Unluckily I couldn’t catch them as they found a way over the stream that surrounds my property, in daylight the next day, I found a fallen tree that they had used as a bridge. My solution was to put up lots of movement activated floodlights and to chainsaw through the fallen tree either side of the stream - leaving about an inch uncut. A week later they must have tried again as the tree was snapped and there were lots of marks on the bank where they clambered out! My only regret was not being able to catch them and making them pay for their crime in sweat splitting some more logs!

From the way you are feeling, I’d start putting some measures in place. Once the crook knows they got away with something then they will be back. It’s inevitable. 1-2 face cords turn into 3-4 face cords then You are now out hundreds of dollars. Simple signage saying you have cameras, a couple trail cameras or wifi cameras, rig together a fence out of stuff lying around. Make it harder for them just to pull up and start loading. Maybe a few lights on the lot in the evenings. Just my thoughts. Good luck!

It gives you food for taught with you thinking of a self service set up..its one of your viewers getting a head start but couldn't find the pay box.. On that bomb shell.. 👍👍🇨🇮

On our logging jobs when we leave for the weekends we do one of two things to block the access road from thieves. We either park a skidder in the road and remove the keys or we place a large log across the road so they can’t get through. Then we just pull it out of the way on Monday morning. You could use the tractor to put a log across your access road when you leave the Woodyard each evening.

3 high quality cameras, 2 for catching license plates coming and going and one that watches the general area of the wood yard.

Up in Oregon we had a wood thief in a struggling little community of unfortunates. I got tired of his shenanigans and decided to expose him. I bored a 1/2" hole into the end of a pine bough, cut about a foot long, and dropped in about 100 grains of FFFG. A bit of Elmer's on a dowel and a stiff rap with a hammer completed the surprise package and I left it "handy". Sure enough, at breakfast the next day, a couple neighbors were visiting when someone's cast iron potbelly belched and sent his stovepipe straight up about 14 feet. Cleaned out the soot, too. That fella moved out right quick. Couldn't seem to find much help, either.

If the thief took the time to stack 1/2 cord of wood neatly in a pickup, I don't think it's for personal use. I would suspect it's someone who will sell this wood half price for a quick profit. That means they might be back. Some added security measures are needed if only for your peace of mind. You work too hard to be ripped off like this!

You need a "Raiders of the Lost Ark" boulder and poison darts. Maybe a few snake pits for good measure.

As the ole saying goes, locks are meant for honest people. A determined thief won't be stopped.

Two posts and a cable across is more symbolic that this is closed to the public. It may also help with any liability with the nails in the boards. I like the ideas of the Ring camera and some trail cams. You worked hard for your operation. Keep up the good work.

Love your work ethic. May the Lord keep you in good health! Shame on the wood thief!

Thieves grind my gears. Time to set a land mine and a warning sign.

That sucks man. Sorry to see that. At least it wasn't a piece of equipment. New signage: Beware of dog and wife.

Can you get a couple of huge logs, the biggest your tractor and grapple can handle and move them across the woodyard entrance at the end of the day?

I remember you having this problem before in the winter. You laid down some boards with nails. That stopped them.

Chris: Didn’t you have someone stealing wood last year? As inflation rises- so does crime. Notify the Police. Consider Security cameras that will alert you and record the license plate. You may also want to consider property fencing.

I'm sorry that happen to you Chris. Like you said, thieves don't want to put in the work it takes to process the wood. Therefore, they're not going steal things like tools because they're laaaaazy. I had a similar situation a few months ago when someone broke in my truck. God sees all, lets hope He gets to them before we do. Keep cuttin friend!

I can't stand a thief. Never thought about one until someone stole my truck in 1988. Since then, I have no patience for a thief.

we've been in business for 7 years and so far one person stole a cord of wood. For us it was not worth it to put up a fence. I felt just like you did, it is so maddening that someone would steal our hard work.

Post on one side and a driveway alarm. I have one and it goes off when the beam is broken. We’ll worth the $100 it cost, especially if it’s in the middle of the night. Cameras are nice but only after the thieves are long gone. This alerts you inside when someone enters the yard. Catch them in the act.

Been worried about your tractor. I would have already found some boulders or at least posts and a cable but that’s me.

Chris, You could temporarily put up some saw horses with a no trespassing sign on them. Also could use some saw horses with a steel cable run between them. This may be enough to deter a would be thief. You said it's been quite awhile since a theft had occurred. You had a theft within the last two years! You put spikes down and caused the poor unfortunate sole to blow his tires out and he had to limp down the highway to get home.

They have cameras you can install that run on batteries. It just goes off when something crosses in its path. My wife has it, and it immediately sends a alert to her phone. We have caught skunks, fox etc patrolling around the front yard within a second of them being there, so it’s very responsive.

Dirty rotten...I have an thought Chris, IF you go the route of a camera, do a night time test to make certain that you can identify the person via their face, vehicle license plate number or ? Ask a friend to go to your woodyard at night and they don't tell you when but after you set things up and see how it works. Oh and I love all the support the comment section is giving you!!!

That sucks Chris. One thing about people that steal, they rarely steal something involves work unless they can sell it. I leave a wheelbarrow out at my woodyard and my neighbor asks if I'm worried about it getting stole. Not really I said, that involves work and people who steal don't like to work. Another great delivery day! GNI

Camera signs are a good preventative and a few cameras Blink works well for me.

I feel your frustration and anger about someone who trespassed on your property and stole from you. I hate when people trespass on my property.

Nothing lower than a thief.

Never had wood taken, but at one point I had someone try to take my tractor, thinking they could start it with a screwdriver. I bought several trail cams and put up a chain across the path. People are too lazy to process firewood, but not too lazy to steal it

i have this happen alot over the yrs but i do have a self service firewood stand the thing that makes me mad is all the hard work!

I like the spike strip idea. That will cost the thief some dollars for tires! Like you, I hate a thief!!

It's worth the effort Chris. The frustration factor alone would be worth it to me. Personally I think stealing is one of the worst things a person can do to another person. Very violating act

From a business standpoint, this is just a minimal amount of inventory shrinkage that doesn't make sense to put much effort into. From a personal standpoint, I hate a damn thief. From a spiritual standpoint, maybe these people were really in need and your wood will keep them, and their children, from freezing. A lot of ways to look at it, but installing minimal security such as a cable across the drive and some signs, is a good idea for all of your other stuff. The upcoming building will help protect your tractor and all of your tools. These items are more valuable than wood. Hard to do, but if this is a one and done, let it go and move on with life.

Hi Chris, sorry to hear about your loss. How about installing a couple of large signs indicating that the property is under video surveillance and actually putting up a couple of fake cameras in highly visible areas, and then a couple of hidden trail cameras?

It is of note that you went from upset, to rational. IF theft is a problem, then, yeah, do what you have to, but, if, like you said, it's that isolated, don't over react. Sure, nobody like to be robbed, or have their property stolen, you certainly have a right to be upset. On the other hand, some poor schmuck out there has been reduced to having to steal firewood. Count your blessings!

As far as preventing it, I'd put a a trail camera or security camera on your building pointing to the entrance of your lot. Then you'd have evidence to give to the police and let them find and charge them with the crime they have committed.

Good day ! That is very frustrating. I would get some big cement bloc with a hook on top and put a cable as a gate. It is easy to remove and install the cable and if you need more space, you could move the bloc with your tractor. Have a good day! Regards

There still are good people, trust worthy people in this world. And sometimes you do do things first before getting compensated, but considering the circumstances one day isn't gonna make a big difference.

Don't know what kind of shelter you are thinking about for your tractor, but...... I think you should consider looking into shed. Call a company that builds storage sheds. Get a quote on one, Make sure the door is tall enough for the roll cage. I know in our area those small tractors go missing from time to time.Mine is under lock and key unless I'm using it.

There's a few cameras that can send alerts to your phone if they detect movement. Might be worth looking into

Put up cameras that will ding you , make sure the night vision is good. Also a dog would help. I have both and no more wood thieves. We have alot of transit foot traffic. My dog let's nobody in the property. Good luck, I'm with you can't do the work leave it alone.

You are right that is the lowest type of people

Not many criminals lower than a thief.

"Thou shall not steal" God was watching and they will be judged. Many in this world today have lost the fear of the Lord.

Thank you for all the videos Chris. I like the camera ideas even a trail camera, have you thought about motion sensor flood light or lights? They would not know if you or the police would show up or not and deter them. Plus if you are there early or late, the light would help then too. Happy cutting.

Hi Chris, you could put up some surveillance signs? Or get a woodyard dog? Love the channel, keep up the good work! Cheers.

Of course they didn’t steel the tools. They would have to work to use them! Sorry for the loss. Some people suck!

Here in NY. Everything has to be locked up, chained down, insured and Spied on with deer cameras. And they still find a way to steal from ya

LOL! Love your sense of humor. I would be ticked.

What a nice guy you are IAM sure if they asked for some wood you would of gave it to them !

I would be even more pissed. note to self... wood yard surveillance and put it in the pine tree catching everything going in and out.

Gates are expensive maybe a vehicle could block that driveway, it could be old & cheap as long as it starts and moves and would be a great place to house a camera no insurance needed. Maybe 2 vehicles are needed to do the job, you may only need to move one vehicle to have the room for you're own use. Check it out I would like to hear you're thoughts on that. Great work on the videos and mostly for all the hard work and awesome job you are doing suppling you're clientele with good wood. ;-) Also all the information you share with us about the firewood business. Thank you.

Just a thought, Get a couple of those big cement blocks. Run a cable through them. Cement companies have them reasonably priced. They weigh a couple thousand pounds a piece. They'll place them where you want them.

Chris look online for a metal security sign that says you have cameras or video surveillance… you could also get some fake looking cameras….. it cheap but effective!!!

OMG not again, that hurts and sucks . You could park the tractor or someone’s car at the opening of the wood lot. Camera in the pine tree with a phone notice when pitcher tripped would help . Bet the rest of the Benjamin clan is mad 😡. Take care give Irene a hug and good night, Thanks Don

Put up a sign like a local gun dealer once had. Sign read: These premises will be watched by an armed guard 3 days a week, you guess which days.

I remember when I was a kid we use to steal car parts from one of the salvage yards in my area. Then they got a dog, a big mean Dog.

Chris, Locks and gates only keep the honest people out. If someone wants in, they will get in. Put your money into a trail cam, better to catch them red handed. Good luck . Cheers Scott

sorry to hear about your theft. Take a 2 x 6 and put screws 2 to3 inch long in them every where, with screws they will stick in the tires and hard to get out. Passive security system.

hi there sorry about your loss ends you the good guy paying for what the bad guy does . any thing you do is doable for bucks . i have trail cameras around here and its amazing what i see from time to time . good luck john

Sink 2, 6 or 8 inch pvc and fill with concrete. Put a large eyebolt through the pvc before cement dries and add chains at height that is basically level with headlight adiator grill. Alternatively use a cellular camera. You can set it up to notify you instantly with activity and get a recording.

G'day Chris, it wasn't me I'm 14,000 miles away but it was nice looking cherry 😜, but seriously I would be very disappointed it's not like those two blokes don't want to work they just don't want to pay. One of them watches your channel and may even have commented, trail cams to get the licence plate shouldn't be hard for a photographer to set up 🤔👍🇦🇺.

Get ‘em Chris !! No prisoners !!!

I use the large concrete blocks. Called EcoBlocks out west. They cost less than you think, sometimes you can get used ones very cheap. They have a cable loop imbedded in the top for lifting or connecting together with cables. I once had some made special with a steel plate cast into a flat top so I could weld stuff on. You can move them easily with your loader, stack them up etc. They also come in several sizes so get the heaviest ones you can handle.

Hey Chris. I feel your pain ! I had 6 40ft rows of oak split and stacked about 6 years ago. I used about half , from the front to back . Looked over the top and WTFFFFFFF Somebody(s) had snuck through the field and nibbled about 25ft from the last row and about 20ft from the 3rd !!!!! I was fricken ready to kill !!! But that's illegal I was told ! So were man traps of any kind !!! But I discovered that being clumsy with my fishing gear was ok !!! 50lbs mono with a bunch of treble hooks accidentally got stuck in the trees and bushes all around the backside of the pile !!!! Surprisingly, it worked real good at catching the 2 punks who were stealing my wood to sell !!! 1130 pm my wife woke me up 4 nights after I lost my fishing tackle, said she heard someone yelling out back ! 12 gauge and light in hand I found the 2 shitheads ! They paid me 2 wallets to help them out !!! I almost felt a little bad ripping 3 hooks out of the 1st a hole and 1 from the other with my pliers ! I checked them all over with the but end of my light !(ouch)!!! Trying out your fishing gear around your woodyard might just keep your crooks away too !! Be careful being clumsy , the screaming these 2 made when I yanked was pretty impressive !!!

Trail cams.. we watch our supply 24/7.. everytime something or somebody goes in view it sends pics to my phone..

Ask for bids from a fence company for that fence and a wide gate. One tall pole with a bright motion sensored light and a Ring set up. You have too much to lose. More in equipment than wood.

Drill a couple and mark those pieces, then put a firecracker in each and fill the end of hole with sawdust/glue to patch the end. Place them on your stacks . If you want more pop replace with Ramset charges.

That's someone with some pretty big balls to drive in and steal wood like that!! Maybe you could put up one of those sensors that go off when someone drives in! Like ones that people put up in there driveways!! It can be connected to your phone!! A couple times I've had firewood stolen.....one time it was done in the night in my driveway out the back of my trailer that was loaded up for delivery the next day!! Its pretty pathetic for someone to do that!! I doubt it will happen but hopefully you catch the person!! Stay safe my friend!!

🤷🏻‍♂️ A lesson needs to be taught, for sure.

Spike strips inside your property at the entrances. Either that or claymore mines. Maybe both...

Love your channel. I Hate a thief and that you got hit by the idiots. A couple game cameras could at least get some pics of anyone on your property. I have a question though. I see that your customers are wanting different types of wood but you are throwing it all in the trailer together. How are they going to tell one piece from another? I assume they wanted to burn it separately but maybe not. Keep up the good work.

I feel miffed for you Chris. Now you are getting more equipment and expanding the woodyard you aught to get some gates up and some cameras maybe a guard dog

75% of the wood I cut is hickory. My property is covered with it. I have 6 trees down right now, there are 45 rounds to the first limb and they are 22" across.

Chris - A gate would help but my concern would be what else could be a target for a thief. Around here folks steal parts of equipment such as batteries, hydraulic cylinders, hoses etc. That Honda engine on the wood splitter should be a concern. Good luck and stay safe - Dud

These people dont know how much work there is to make firewood.

Don’t forget the bag of lime when you bury em ! Lmao 😂

Maybe do a double gate? So you don't have to move posts? Not much you can do then gate it. But if they really want something they will cut there way in. Cameras would help if you can do it.

Harbor freight sells sensor alarms that transmit to an alarm in your house for 20 bucks. I'm sure other companies have them too. A step up would be some trail cams. Then there is always the Woodyard dog option, aka Cujo. ;-)) Good luck! Shalom/gw

Roofing nails through a black garden hose. Spray paint the nails black. The nails are galvanized, the hoses are collapsible and compact, you can make them any length, place them out each day you feel the need and throw between some pallets when not needed. DON'T FORGET THEY ARE THERE!!! Sorry for the loss.

It would make me super angry too… and it would take a lot of restraint not do hurt someone over a few pieces of wood

Sounds like you need a couple guard dogs

Good Morning Chris Unfortunately, shrinkage is a normal and expected part of any business. You can't prevent it (well you can; I mean nobody steals from Fort Knox) but you can make it harder. As visible as you've become, this will not be the last time someone takes something from you that does not belong to them so investing in some simple, low-cost security measures might make them think twice about it, and hopefully move on to softer targets. Planting a few trees around the parking lot (you were talking about moving the Christmas trees anyway) and adding a simple post and chain gate at the main entrance to the woodyard would be an easy and inexpensive start.

A quick fix is putting up "premises under video surveillance" signage at the entrance. And a spot light. It might scare them off

Cameras are cheaper than proper gates... We put up a 4k night vision setup that writes to a hard drive for a couple three hundred bucks. Handy for keeping an eye on the critters too around the farm.

I have spy point cellular cameras watching my wood yard and firewood bag locations. You get a notification almost instantly. you would have caught them for sure.

Good morning from Grand Forks

Hope you can figure something out to prevent the theft from happening again. They will probably be back since they were successful... Good luck

That sucks Chris. I've had some stuff stolen over the years and its a very vulnerable feeling as I'm sure you know. I would get some cameras, not only to protect your firewood but also you tractor, your property, your other business.. You put a lot of work into this and in my opinion the piece of mind alone would justify the cost. May even help lower your insurance on the property, I'm not sure.... You could also instead get a junk van or something and every time you leave park it across the access point to the wood yard. If you need to drive in there or truck loads come in you can just start it an move it out of the way. I'm sure there's a rust bucket for sale for cheap somewhere close lol. Just some thoughts, hope you can catch these scumbags one way or another

If you only have one entrance, park the tractor there. My uncle used to do that when I was a kid.

you are right but the thought of someone taking the wood would*&^%$ me off.Plenty of car yards have removeable bollards

Chris, I feel your rage, but you are a much better person than the thief. I like the idea of the strip that punchers tires. In any case, I hope that it does not happen again.

Hate it when honest people get burned.

Time to trap the wood chuck! Don't forget to pick up the spike strips before you drive on it or worse step on it.

1st time in 3 or 4 years he tells his buddies that they didnt do anything to prevent it leads to more. Put some fishing line attached to a stick that is proping up a rock right above an air horn. When the truck pulls the fishing line it will cause the stick to move causing the rock to fall on the air horn and give a loud audible noise that will scare the hell out of someone.

Man that sucks ! Sorry you have to deal with a thief. I just started a new wood pile by the road I live on . It's a great spot for sun on my wood . I have 11 acres, mostly wooded. My wife said someone is going to steal that wood ! I said, nobody is going to steal a guy's firewood! Maybe she is correct!

Yep, nothing worse that thief's and liars. Claymore mines are effective, just pick up the pieces later.. -D

Chris I would put up surveillance cameras in and around the wood yard so you can catch the thief in action. I had a flatbed truck I had bought for my automotive business years ago and had it parked right outside of my shop and 1 Easter Sunday it was stolen. I had wished I would have had camera’s up to see who stool it. But unfortunately I did not and I also didn’t have full coverage, so it was a complete loss. I know how it feels to to be a victim of a crime, it is a terrible feeling. Jut remember every dog has it’s day and he will get caught eventually.

So looking at the layout , you have a pallet bottom that looks like 8 feet and it looks like 4 feet and a tad . So isn't that what would be a single . taking 3 of those at 16 inches wouldn't that be a full cord ? I'm just new to this wood stuff and trying to learn Thanks